March News
PLAQUES and ‘PLAQUEES’
‘Plaquee’ is our word for the (usually deceased) subject of a plaque and this month has seen a particularly good inflow of very diverse ‘plaquees’. Several are still very much alive! Here are some examples:
Marlon Devenish, athlete : Sir Nigel Hawthorne, actor : Don Luigi Sturzo, Italian politician : Vince Hill, singer : Billie Whitelaw, actress : Philip Larkin, poet : Clive Owen, actor : Charles Early, blanket manufacturer : Ronnie Hazlehurst, composer of much BBC programme music : Hazel O’Connor, singer/actress : Robert Lochner, inventor of (part of) the wartime Mulberry Harbours.
Perhaps the most interesting is Kelso Cochrane, a young Antiguan carpenter, whose violent death in 1959 led, ironically, to much improved race relations in Kensington. The one which would really appeal to pub quiz compilers is William Gunther who invented, in case you didn’t know, the OXO cube!
Many monoliths
An order has been received for 11 of our large ‘Rotherham’ type monoliths as shown in the site photo gallery. These incorporate a range of hand-modelled and photographically-reproduced information on the history of the sites in question. For the first time, 5 of the monoliths will be double ended - imagine two as illustrated but joined in the middle like Siamese twins.
We’ve also started casting the sculpted poetry monoliths for St Helens, Merseyside. These are massive aluminium castings weighing about 200kg apiece, with poems snaking around their surface in relief. Photos next month when they’re finished.
Thank you letters
Two more this month:
“I would just like to record our thanks for the superb signs for the Broseley Jitties (alleyways in Shropshire). The signs are all in place and look tremendous. They will add greatly to the other work we are doing in the area.” Community Regeneration Officer, Bridgenorth District Council 23/03/09
“The lecterns (6 etched stainless steel panels recording a thousand years of local history) were greatly admired by those attending the opening. You’ve done a great job and the Museum and I are very happy with the finished product.” Town Centre Manager, Brentwood, Essex 30/03/09
(photos of both to follow)
P.S. Further to last month’s plea to help other firms who are desperately short of work, February’s outsourcing of work and materials was 27% up on the same month last year.